News

March 30, 2017 (University of Dayton School of Law: Dayton Docket) - Adam Armstrong ‘05 knows that every good craft beer includes grain, hops, yeast – and legal papers. The president of the UDSL Alumni Association doesn’t share a cold one with all his clients but, as co-founder of Ohio Beer Counsel, opportunities do come along. “We paired the law with what we enjoy,” Armstrong says. . . Read More

September 9, 2016 (Dayton Business Journal) - A new law firm opened its doors in downtown Dayton this week after a group of attorneys left one of the prominent Dayton legal firms. Bruns, Connell, Vollmar & Armstrong opened Tuesday in the Barclay Building at 137 N. Main St., where the attorneys will practice a range of civil law . . . Read More

July 1, 2016 (Dayton Business Journal) - Jamie Arthur said when the craft brewing movement started to take off in the Dayton area, he saw opportunity. The co-owner of Little Miami Farms in Spring Valley, just outside of Xenia, had been looking for the right specialty crop to add to the mix. So, he started growing hops two years ago and is now building a malting house for barley. With a corporate background and now a first generation farmer, Arthur said the craft brewing explosion across the Miami Valley created demand for ventures like his . . . Read More

May 19, 2016 (Cleveland.com) - Brewing-industry folks weighed in with a resounding, collective cheer upon hearing that a bill to lift the alcohol-percentage limit on beer in Ohio has cleared both legislative houses. House Bill 37, which awaits a signature from Gov. John Kasich, would remove the 12 percent limit on beer made or sold in the state. Ohio is one of the few states that has such a limit. West Virginia is the only border state to Ohio that also caps the percentage. "We can do something creative and not be restricted,". . . Read More

May 12, 2016 (Columbus Business First) - The proposed elimination of Ohio’s alcohol-by-volume limit on beer is closer to becoming a reality. The Ohio Senate approved an amendment to House Bill 37 Wednesday that would take away a 12 percent ABV cap on beer made and sold in the state. “We just thought the limit was archaic and unnecessary,” Senate President Keith Faber, R-Celina, told the Ohio Beer Blog. “We don’t have a limit on hard liquor or wine or other spirits. ... The thought was to have it on beer really isn’t necessary with changing times.” The measure returns to the House for approval. Rep. Mike Duffey, R-Worthington, sponsored the legislation. . . Read More

May 2, 2016 (wksu.org) - Ohio Senate leaders are expected to vote in the coming weeks on a measure that would increase the amount of alcohol allowed in beer from 12 to 15 percent. The measure is included in H.B. 444which allows certain liquor permit holders to provide free samples of beer, wine and liquor to paying customers of their establishments. Adam Armstrong of the Ohio Beer Counsel. . . Read More

April 29, 2016 (Columbus Business First) - Ohio legislators are open to raising the state’s alcohol limit in beer by 3 percentage points, but a bigger change may be in the works. Soon after a proposal to up the alcohol-by-volume cap on beer made and sold in the state cleared a significant hurdle in the Ohio House of Representatives, state Senate President Keith Faber is talking about eliminating the 12 percent alcohol ceiling altogether. . . Read More

February 5, 2016 (Cleveland.com) - Goldhorn Brewery is navigating the inspection process and will be "hopefully brewing" in March, with the taproom to opening soon after, brewer Joel Warger said. The brewery will open at the Hub 55 complex at 1361 E. 55th St., near St. Clair Avenue. Warger said the goal is to keep a minimum of eight beers on at all times in a 12-tap tower. . . Read More

December 8, 2015 (Dayton Most Metro) - Everyone likes a good happy hour. This is beyond debate. When it comes to permitted liquor establishments in Ohio, violation of the “rules” of happy hour, can make a pub sad. As one of the most heavily regulated industries in Ohio, not surprisingly, there are very specific rules that licensed liquor establishments must comply with when it comes to happy hour. As with most things alcohol-related, the State of Ohio heavily regulates what establishments can and cannot offer to patrons during happy hour(s). . . Read More

December 4, 2015 (Ohio Craft Brewers Association) - The second Ohio Craft Brewers Conference will take place February 3-4, 2016 at the Dayton Convention Center. Registration is $200 per person. Discounted registration is available for OCBA brewery and allied members for $150 per person ($125 per person for groups of 3 or more from the same organization). Tickets available here. Registration includes . . . Read More

November 10, 2015 (Dayton City Paper) - Fresh and portable, reusable growlers offer consumers flexible drinking options and reduce the amount of beer packaging waste. In the not-too-distant past, you either drank your beer at the bar, or you grabbed a six-pack at a retail establishment to take with you. Options for taking the same beloved draft beer you drink on tap home to enjoy or to a gathering to share were nonexistent. That’s not the case anymore . . . Read More

October 8, 2015 (Dayton Most Metro) - On April 30, 2015, Gov. John Kasich approved a new law which permits municipalities and townships with a population greater than 35,000 to create outdoor refreshment areas (“ORA”). Much press surrounded this new law as it was introduced in the Ohio House and signed into law less than three months later, an incredibly fast moving bill . . . Read More

September 29, 2015 (Dayton City Paper) - As the Miami Valley’s craft beer scene continues to expand, ancillary businesses arise to support the industry. One such example is the Ohio Beer Counsel. Kevin Connell and Adam Armstrong are two lawyers on that team. Dayton City Paper sat down with them to learn more about how they became craft beer lawyers and the type of work that they do.

September 11, 2015 (Dayton Most Metro) - Greetings Dayton, we are Kevin Connell and Adam Armstrong. We co-founded a practice group within the firm which we call “Ohio Beer Counsel.” We represent start-up and established breweries and distilleries in all manners of the brewery and distillery business . . . Read More

May 7, 2015 (Law360) - While they face fewer legal restrictions and entanglements than marijuana growers, craft beer brewers are also part of a burgeoning industry, and firms can get in on this rapidly expanding market with a practice geared toward issues facing the entrepreneurs behind small breweries and distilleries. Kevin Connell and Adam Armstrong launched . . . Read More

May 1, 2015 (Dayton Business Journal) - The craft beer craze in Dayton is completely redefining the entertainment scene in downtown, and one local law firm wants to make sure the positive impact of the fledgling industry continues. A group of lawyers in downtown Dayton have launched a new practice area called the Ohio Beer Counsel, hoping to offer their services to brewers and distillers in Dayton and around Ohio . . . Read More